Center balanced gunstock with pistol grip and trigger actuator rod and folding front foregrip

ABSTRACT

A center balanced gunstock with pistol grip and trigger actuator rod and folding front foregrip is an after market gunstock suited for use on well designed, mechanically sound, unaltered rifle actions that would benefit from current production of an ergonomically designed alternate rifle stock system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to gun stocks, and more particularly to aftermarket gun stocks for well designed, mechanically sound, unaltered rifle actions.

BACKGROUND ART

Rifle stocks of military grade battle rifles are typically made from wood products, machined to fit around the rifle actions and provide protection from the barrel, which tends to become heated during repeated firing operations in short periods of time.

The wood itself is an excellent insulator and support mechanism for battle conditions where the wood stock can also be used as a club in the event of close proximity engagement conditions with animals or otherwise.

However, as beautiful and generally functional as a wood stock may be, woods tends to warp due to wood grain differentials. And depending on the configuration, grade, density and moisture content of the wood utilized for the stock, the bullet traveling through the steel rifle barrel may be impacted by unfavorable field conditions which could cause incidental wood warpage. The wood could thereby affect the accuracy sometimes required by long-range sighting requirements by putting inconsistent pressure on the barrel at points or planes of contact.

Secondarily, the design of many rifle actions, though mechanically sound and field functional, are sometimes fitted, for various economic impact and/or production deadlines or other reasons, with stock designs that are less than ergonomically considerate of human anatomy and general balance. Some of these parameters were not even a consideration in the development of some of these fine firearms.

Whereas today, many sportsmen who appreciate the well machined firearms of the past century are willing to handle and fire the rifle in various sports or engagements due to the longer range of weapons with longer barrels than are generally manufactured today, many would also appreciate the feel of a balanced firearm that could be easily manipulated with one hand, while enjoying the benefit of the longer controlled bullet reach due to increased muzzle velocity generated by the longer barrell.

They would further benefit from the enhanced tactile contact with the wider trigger mechanism provided by the direct contact center balanced trigger and rod provided which would allow them to better sense the engagement of the rifle action trigger stages and therefore provide the possibility of better accuracy even without modification of the factory trigger group.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aftermarket center balanced gunstock with pistol grip and trigger actuator rod and folding front foregrip enhances the shooting experience by providing the shooter with remarkable rifle balance, even being able to handle the entire assembled unit with a single hand while meeting all of the dimensional legal requirements for a rifle.

It also allows a rifle with a longer barrel to be easily transported and utilized, normally benefiting better target accuracy and foot-pounds impact due to the higher muzzle velocities of bullets generated by bullet gases generating additional force due to expansion through a longer barrel.

It provides for the use of modern field and target optics, as attached to structurally sound optics bases and attachments of the center balanced stock body.

If provides for easy access to the original rear of the rifle action trigger group and facilitates removal of the original bolt cover without the use of intricate or easily lost or misplaced screws or means of attachment.

It is physically designed to separate the stock fore end from the barrel to eliminate as much incidental field conditions warpage as possible, while providing a ventilated handguard to prevent incidental touching of the barrell in the event of repeated firing so that the shooter's fingers do not come in contact with the area above the fore end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a center balance rifle stock only with the front grip at the fore end in closed position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a center balance rifle stock only with the front grip at the fore end in open position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a center balance rifle stock only with the front grip at the fore end in open position with the rear stock butt hinged in access position.

FIG. 4 is a side view dashed line drawing of what could be considered a sample rifle action (rifle action for example only, not a part of this patent application). This sample is used to demonstrate how the center balance rifle stock with actuator trigger rod interfaces with the unmodified rifle action.

FIG. 5 is a side view dashed line drawing of what could be considered a sample rifle action (rifle action for example only, not a part of this patent application) shown as wire line drawings showing the general fit and interface with the center balanced stock.

FIG. 6 is a side view solid line drawing of what could be considered a sample rifle action (rifle action for example only, not a part of this patent application) shown as solid wire line drawings showing the general fit and interface with the center balanced stock in layered style drawings.

FIG. 7 is a side view solid line drawing of what could be considered a sample rifle action (rifle action for example only, not a part of this patent application) showing the general fit and interface with the center balanced stock in an opaque surfaces drawing.

FIG. 8 is an axiomatic three dimensional view of the center balanced stock only (not including the front section of the sample rifle action).

FIG. 9 is an axiomatic three dimensional view of the center balanced stock, including the front section of the sample rifle action.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, a stock pistol grip 101, attached to the stock fore end 102 with operable fore grip 103, with handguard 104, integral scope mount 105, gas shield 106, stock butt plate release mechanism 107, buttstock 108, trigger section 109 and trigger actuator rod 110 are shown as integral parts of the center balanced rifle stock, attached in a manner to accommodate the fit and various operations of this patent.

Other prior art rifle stocks were normally one-piece units simply designed to fit, as tightly as possible, the rifle receiver and barrel and gripped as a club or stick.

According to the invention, the relocated center of balance due to the restructuring of the handling grips, fore end and butt stock and resulting center of balance and associated recoil forces, provide an ergonomic structure to better accommodate ease of handling and a more pleasurable shooting experience.

In FIG. 2, the operable foregrip 203 is shown in dropped position.

In FIG. 3, the stock butt release mechanism 307 and hinged butt assembly 308 is shown in rifle action receiver and trigger group access position.

In FIG. 6, a proposed sample rifle action and barrel (not a part of this patent application) is provided as an example of an unmodified rifle action suitable for this patent shown with the stock buttplate release mechanism 607 open allowing for the hinged position of the buttstock 608 as well as the operable foregrip 603 in open mode.

It can be appreciated that the center balanced rifle stock with trigger actuator rod provides a complete stock system, properly interfacing with the rifle action (not a part of this patent) that is suitable for this type of application, embodying the innovations required to accommodate the balance and ergonomic design currently desired by modern shooting sportsmen.

The foregoing embodiments are illustrative of the broad inventive concepts of the invention. 

1. A method of designing and fabricating a center balanced gunstock with pistol grip and trigger actuator rod and folding front foregrip as an after market gunstock suited for use on well designed, mechanically sound, unaltered rifle actions (not a part of this patent application) that would benefit from current production of an ergonomically designed alternate rifle stock system; a. The method of claim 1, wherein the pistol grip is located at the center point of balance of a loaded rifle, stock included, which would rest on the web of the right hand, located between the thumb and first finger at the rear of the pistol grip and could be articulated with the single right hand grasped around the pistol grip; b. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiver of the rifle is located closer to the sportsman's shoulder by eliminating approximately 10 to 12 inches of rifle stock, designed to be directly in line with the force of battery/recoil, thereby minimizing barrel lift during firing; c. The method of claim 1 wherein the fore end of the stock has an attached concealed front grip, easily articulated to be opened as needed, providing additional vertical grip support; d. The method of claim 1 wherein the trigger of the unaltered manufactured rifle action shall be actuated by a specifically profiled and fabricated metal rod connecting the unaltered rifle trigger and the center balanced trigger module located in the trigger guard of the center balance pistol grip using a pulling motion similar to industry standard mechanical function; e. The method of claim 1 wherein the face of the added trigger is no less than ⅜″ wide, providing several times the standard trigger width to allow for more accurate sense of trigger pull and engagement due to increased tensile contact with the forefinger and face of the trigger; f. The method of claim 1 wherein the standard iron sight optics of the rifle action (not a part of this patent application) are rendered ansillary due to the provision of optics ready mounts, suitable for magnifying scopes, red-dot scopes or any suitable optics system which can be mounted on the sighting structure provided with the center balanced rifle stock; g. The method of claim 1 wherein the rear of the stock, as attached to the pistol grip body, is attached in such a manner to accommodate hinging of the rear section of the center balance stock at the rear of the grip module to accommodate access to the unaltered manufactured trigger or safety system as may be needed for field adjustments, using field available tools and equipment; h. The method of claim 1 wherein the hinging of said rear stock section as noted in section 7, is accomplished through a series of center balance stock parts manipulation allowing the field safe condition of the closed stock to be openable with the use of the hands and fingers only;
 2. The method of making a center balance rifle stock comprising of: a. Lightweight, air-entrained PVC at the rear stock housing, machined to curve around the trigger actuator rods while allowing for unhindered operation of the trigger actuator rod movement; b. Lightweight air-entrained PVC at the stock foreend housing, machined to be supported by the pistol grip body core and thereby supporting the two postion front grip system, located so as not to engage the rifle barrel for barrel ventilation purposes; c. Aircraft grade aluminum at the pistol grip body machined to accommodate connection to the rear stock section and the stock foreend/front grip assembly and provide support to the optics ready mounts, while mechanically attaching to the rifle action to ensure secure operations and sighting; d. Aircraft grade aluminum at the pistol grip body trigger machined to accommodate connection via the trigger actuator rod to the unaltered rifle action trigger housed within the rear stock section; e. Lightweight, air-entrained PVC at the side panels of the pistol grip body to accommodate reduced weight and tactile comfort; f. Delrin composite plastics material attached to the upper pistol grip body and machined to accommodate optics installation and operation; g. Delrin composite plastics material attached to the rear stock butt, and machined and fitted to accommodate rifle recoil forces while being manipulable for access to parts covered by the rear stock body; h. Lightweight curved PVC, attached to the left side rear stock, adjacent to and curved over the receiver portion so as to provide incidental protection for the face in the event of bolt operations gases emissions. i. Perforated and machined 1/16″ aluminum curved and attached at the front of the pistol grip assembly above the fore end grip wrapping on the three exposed sides to provide incidental heat protection from the barrel in the event of heat generated by multiple, sustained firings. 